6
Wireless Basics
Wireless users can use the same applications they use on a wired network.
Wireless adapter cards used on laptop and desktop systems support the same
protocols as Ethernet adapter cards.
D-Link wireless products are based on industry standards to provide easy-to-use
and compatible high-speed wireless connectivity within your home, business or
public access wireless networks. D-Link wireless products will allow you access
to the data you want, when and where you want it. You will be able to enjoy the
freedom that wireless networking brings.
A wireless local area network (WLAN) is a computer network that transmits and
receives data with radio signals instead of wires. WLANs are used increasingly
in both home and office environments, and public areas such as airports, coffee
shops and universities. Innovative ways to utilize WLAN technology are helping
people to work and communicate more efficiently. Increased mobility and the
absence of cabling and other fixed infrastructure have proven to be beneficial
to many users.
People use WLAN technology for many different purposes:
Mobility - Productivity increases when people have access to data in any
location within the operating range of the WLAN. Management decisions based
on real-time information can significantly improve worker efficiency.
Low Implementation Costs - WLANs are easy to set up, manage, change
and relocate. Networks that frequently change can benefit from WLANs ease
of implementation. WLANs can operate in locations where installation of wiring
may be impractical.
Installation and Network Expansion - Installing a WLAN system can be fast
and easy and can eliminate the need to pull cable through walls and ceilings.
Wireless technology allows the network to go where wires cannot go - even
outside the home or office.
Inexpensive Solution - Wireless network devices are as competitively priced
as conventional Ethernet network devices.
Scalability - WLANs can be configured in a variety of ways to meet the needs
of specific applications and installations. Configurations are easily changed
and range from Peer-to-Peer networks suitable for a small number of users
to larger Infrastructure networks to accommodate hundreds or thousands of
users, depending on the number of wireless devices deployed.